The percentage of Irish drivers observed using handheld mobile phones has dropped by a third to 6 per cent in 2024, compared to the previous year, writes Brian Byrne. The drop has been even steeper in the LCV segment, from 13 per cent to 2 per cent.
In the RSA’s 2024 Driver Attitudes and Behaviour study, it was also observed that men and women drivers were equally likely to be observed using a device. Morning drivers and those driving at lunchtime were likelier to use their devices.
However, the self-reported element of the study suggested the issue was much broader; more than one in five respondents said they check notifications at least sometimes while driving, while 12 per cent admitted to responding to texts or social media posts while driving.
